A Word to Live Into

I feel drawn to the word steadfast in a world that is ever-changing. Within the word, you can sense a whispered plea; the need to remain steadfast; there is an invitation of hope to be steadfast; there is the potential to endure. So I share this word with you as a prayer and a promise.

We are all on a path, taking a journey. Do you know where you are and how you got there? What is your whispered plea? What is guiding you? In what or in whom are you placing your confidence?

Faith is confidence. Faith is trust. Faith is the thing you count on. Where you put your confidence matters. You have a choice. You can choose what to trust - what to focus on. You can choose who you want to guide you.

When you turn to the beginning of the Bible, you are reminded of at least two things. We make a lot of mistakes as people, and yet we can also live steadfastly. It is quite striking to read the story of the Israelites. One day they are following Moses through the Red Sea, and the next they are grumbling. Yet as one Bible teacher points out, when we look at them “we realize something solid and steady: they are always God’s people. God is steadfastly with them.”(1)

In his new book, What to Make of a Life, Jim Collins observes that we all face cliffs and go through times of fog. A cliff is a turning point that often stops you in your tracks and invites you to consider your path forward intentionally. We all face cliffs and go through fog. Life happens. Troubles come our way. We respond. Sometimes we pivot. You may be in the middle of a cliff or a fog right now. In every stage of life, we are also invited to be steadfast - to stay the course. It may not be easy, but it is possible.

Perhaps the best illustration for being steadfast is the story of the tortoise and the hare. We see two different approaches: one is swift, the other slow and steady. The tortoise remains focused and keeps moving forward with an unhurried consistency. We can learn to be like the tortoise. We can learn to be focused and press forward intentionally, one step at a time. And of course the story also shows us that slow and steady wins the race.

Part of the steadfastness of the tortoise is the fact that he goes as he can. He doesn’t try to be like the hare. As we go along on our own journeys, we may find ourselves alongside or behind a hare. We may hit a cliff or have to go through a fog, but as we go, we can count on a sustaining grace with us.

There is a promise shared by the prophet Isaiah that I love: “The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.” (Is 58:11) As we go along, we can embrace the circumstances of our lives as they are today, trusting that God is with us. God will guide us. God will provide what we need. God will even help us flourish like a well-watered garden as we remain steadfast with him.

Do you ever wonder about the people mentioned in the Bible? Paul names many individuals from the churches he wrote letters to. Many of them, people like you and me. There is one man who seems to have been steadfast. His name was Epaphras. Paul mentions him 3 times, twice calling him a faithful minister of Christ. He was one of those steady people. We also learn the cry of his heart. Paul said he was “always wrestling in prayer” for people. He prayed that they would stand firm and fully assured. (Col 4:12-13) He encouraged them to remain steadfast.

This is Jesus’ prayer for us as well. He tells us: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you…Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid…Remain in me, as I also remain in you.”  (2) To be steadfast is to remain. As we remain in Christ, as we live in faith, something amazing happens: we are already what we seek. As we remain with Christ, we already are where we long to arrive - at home, in the trustworthy arms of God our Father, who loves us and cares for us.

How to live into the word steadfast…

1. We live in and meet God in the ordinary moments of each day. Take a look at yourself and the circumstances you find yourself in today. Name it. How might today be different if you steadfastly walked with God today in it?

2. David Allen said: “You can do anything - but not everything.” You must choose what to focus on. Remain steadfast in one thing.

3. We can join the psalmist, making this our aim today: “My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast.” (Psalm 57:7)

4. God knows what we need better than we do. Jesus tells us, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Mt 6:8) We can seek to trust in God’s care and provision. You can ask God what you need. You can ask God to show you what you really need. We can pray: “Give us this day our daily bread,” and then remain receptive and open to God’s provision.

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1. Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction.

2. John 14: 27,15:4